Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by drsoosie on May 20, 2012 at 10:24am

Hi Ruth! How exciting and fun. There are many online resources. You can check out NIKERUNNING.COM which has helpful guides on training schedules. Also, you can go to your local running store and pick the brain of the people who work there. Often times they have training groups which you can join. Good luck!

Permalink Reply by acidrock23 on May 20, 2012 at 11:24am

I had started running and my aunt, with whom I the Chicago Marathon last year, got me Jeff Galloway's book that was of use, to just sort of organize my head about running, using different gaits, how to run up and down hills, etc. Things that seem obvious but little details ("lower your arms and lengthen your stride going downhill will make up time you lose going uphill...") helped or made me think they helped? I like his food advice, generally to disregard the "load up" plan? Re running, I pretty much ran nore on the weekends and sort of kept pushing it out another mile or so every week or two? The first time I ran a 1/2 was in April, near Chicago, so the winter training was sort of weather dependent, ok conditions= more miles?

Permalink Reply by Dane on May 20, 2012 at 12:49pm

I'm so excited to read your post! I think half marathons are the perfect distance...you have to train and learn about nutrition and maintaining your bs but it is so achievable. I am training for my first full in October, I imagine it will be another good experience. I run with a small group from a local Fit2Run store. Our "coach" uses Training Peak to give us our schedule. I stay motivated by staying on this site as well as dailymile.com with my group and extended group of "athletic" friends (people just interested in staying fit).

Permalink Reply by IMVic on May 20, 2012 at 1:12pm

You may want to check Missy Foy's website (though not geared toward a half - she does have some tips on training and her race day diabetes strategy), plus some of your local "IN" crowd should be able to provide some insight (Nate Spencer did Boston earlier this year and I think there are several others from the Boston area that he could put you in touch with). Bobby Mcgee has a couple books and videos (not geared toward diabetics) that focus on training, training plans, drills, etc. for various distances (running and tri's). Hope that helps some - good luck in your first half!

Permalink Reply by Jeff Mather on May 21, 2012 at 7:21am

I had very good luck with the half marathon training plans that you can get for free from Runners World (http://smartcoach.runnersworld.com/smartcoach). Just put in a recent race time, when your event is, and how much training volume you currently do, and you'll get a nicely personalized plan. No frills, but it helped get me to the finish line New Bedford last year.

Permalink Reply by Joe_h on May 22, 2012 at 9:08am

i like halhigdon.com he has good free generic training plans for various levels and distances. go check them out. is phrendo w/ glucomotion and triabetes? both are good diabetic teams

Permalink Reply by Ruth on May 22, 2012 at 4:39pm

Hi all,

Thanks so much for the tips- now I have lots of research to do. Oh, and to answer your question Joe_h, yes, Phrendo is the online network of Insulindependence, which includes tributes and glucomotion. It's not a super active site yet.

I have dreams of finding other active diabetics in Western Mass, but it isn't easy!

Thanks again all!

Ruth

Permalink Reply by Alice Rose on May 28, 2012 at 11:51am

Hi Ruth,

It sounds as though we both are looking for the same thing! I just signed up for a half marathon (my first as well) and I am also a pretty fit person. I am not familiar with Phrendo and am looking for advice on how to maintain a stable BS on really long runs plus what kind of supplies diabetics carry on them when they are out on such long runs.

Good luck on your training! I am looking to run my half in October. Do you have a race picked out yet?

Alice

Permalink Reply by Ruth on May 29, 2012 at 8:35am

Hi Alice,

I'm leaning towards the Cape Cod Half on October. I figure the weather will be cool. I'm looking for a court that's fairly flat for this first one. So I suppose temperature, proximity and terrain constitute my criteria.

Is that how you/others are choosing?

I also don't think I'll care too much about timing/competition aspects. I'm just looking to do the thing!

There are lots of recommendations about carrying bags on this forum...

rlj